The Happy Pod: Escaping death on a glacier

This edition of the BBC's "The Happy Pod" features stories of survival, innovation, and human connection. It begins with Alec Luhn, an American journalist, recounting his near-fatal hiking accident in Norway and the lessons he learned about appreciating life. The podcast then shifts to a discussion about a newly discovered freshwater aquifer under the Atlantic Ocean and its potential to alleviate global water shortages. Following this, the episode explores Europe's largest matchmaking festival in Lisdoonvarna, Ireland, highlighting the enduring appeal of traditional romance. The podcast also covers a new vaccine developed to combat the chlamydia outbreak threatening koala populations in Australia. Additionally, the episode touches on the rare asexual reproduction of iguanas at a UK zoo and a solar-powered tractor innovation in Malawi aimed at improving crop yields. Finally, the podcast concludes with a story about a traveler dedicated to picking up litter around the world, inspiring listeners to take small actions for positive change.